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Apple Announces iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and more

Today, Apple held an event where they announced a new 4-inch iPhone SE and a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro. This event was focused on making smaller versions of Apple's existing products including iPhone 6 and iPad Pro.

iPhone SE
Over 2 years ago, Apple released its last 4-inch iPhone– iPhone 5S. When the tech giant released its larger iPhones, iPhone 6/6S and 6/6S Plus, they received mixed feedback on their decision towards larger devices. While some customers greatly enjoyed their larger devices, some customers held off. In fact, the iPhone 5S is said to be Apple's most successful iPhone, even after 2 generations. Apple has created the new iPhone SE to cater to that audience.
Specs
iPhone SE is as powerful as the iPhone 6S. It features the same A9 chip, with M9 motion coprocessor. It features the same gain in battery life, the same "Hey Siri" functionality, and even the same faster wireless chip. It also gets the 12 MP camera found in the iPhone 6S, as well as 4K video recording and Live Photos. The front camera is the same 5 MP camera sensor found in the iPhone 6S that also features the True Tone technology built into the display– branded Retina Flash. Nothing here is new. If you're up to date on the iPhone 6S specs, you know what you're getting out of this device.
Design
Apple is really full of themselves with the design. Apple says, "we started with a beloved, iconic design and reinvented it". This is definitely not a design reinvention. The only way for someone to tell the iPhone 5S from the SE is the rose gold color (similar to the iPhone 6 vs 6S). According to Apple, the iPhone SE is the "most powerful phone with a 4-inch display, in a beloved compact aluminum design that has been updated with matte-chamfered edges, a color-matches stainless steel Apple logo, and four georgeous metallic finishes, including rose gold."
I don't knock Apple for recycling the same design. The iPhone 5S had a great design but I dislike when they consider it innovative. They could have taken 5S shells and put the new logic board assembly in and brand it iPhone SE, and I would never know.
Price/Availability
The iPhone SE starts at $399 for 16GB and costs $499 for 64GB. I am very pleased with the price. This is Apple's least expensive iPhone in the history of iPhone. Previously, new iPhones have always been $649 and then decrease to $449 after 2 generations before their inevitable discontinuation. This iPhone could be a great way to cater to the new markets of kids needing iPhones or in third-world countries. I like that Apple didn't do much skimping on specs, excluding the lack of 3D Touch. This is truly a 4-inch iPhone with minimal compromises. Apple also is selling the iPhone SE through their authorized retail stores and "select carriers" (likely AT&T, Verizon, and maybe T-Mobile) for 24 monthly payments of $17 or as low as $10 monthly with an eligible trade-in, though Apple's new Trade Up program.
9.7-inch iPad Pro
Similiar to the iPhone SE's audience, the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro was created to cater to an audience that enjoy smaller devices without compromising in power. This new iPad Pro, similar to iPhone SE, is nearly identical to the iPad Pro in every way, minus its smaller form factor.
Specs
The specs are identical to the iPad Pro. There's not much new. The only difference between this 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro is that this new iPad features Apple's 12 MP camera with 4K video recording and Live Photos, found in the iPhone 6S/6S Plus and iPhone SE. It features a rear-facing True Tone flash on the back as well. Also the iPad Pro has a True Tone display that uses an array of sensors to adjust color temperature depending on the from you're in. This feature goes one step further with the Night Shift feature found in iOS 9.3 by having hardware created to enhance the software.
Design
There's nothing exciting about the design of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. It is identically thin as the iPad Air 2–coming in at 6.1mm. It weights just under a pound, like the iPad Air 2.
Price/Availability
This new iPad comes in 3 configurations– 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The Wi-Fi models with respective storages amounts cost $599, $749, and $899. It will be available on March 31st.

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